A motivational theory of life-span development.

This article had four goals. First, the authors identified a set of general challenges and questions that a life-span theory of development should address. Second, they presented a comprehensive account of their Motivational Theory of Life-Span Development. They integrated the model of optimization in primary and secondary control and the action-phase model of developmental regulation with their original life-span theory of control to present a comprehensive theory of development. Third, they reviewed the relevant empirical literature testing key propositions of the Motivational Theory of Life-Span Development. Finally, because the conceptual reach of their theory goes far beyond the current empirical base,…

• CI
  Canadian Institutes of Health Research
• SS
  Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
• NI
  National Institute on Aging

  Award: AG15321; AG026010
• NH
  National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

  Award: HL076852; HL076858
• NI
  National Institute of Mental Health

  Award: MH071944
• NI
  National Institute of Nursing Research

  Award: NR08272; NR09573
• NC
  National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities

  Award: MD000207